Pathophysiology Case Studies Exam 2
Questions with Verified Answers
What are the signs and symptoms of pericarditis? - ANSWERSSharp stabbing pain,
worsens with coughing or swallowing, difficulty breathing when lying down
What are causes of pericarditis? What does is often pair with? - ANSWERSCertain
autoimmune viruses, viral infections, etc.
RA
What are two causes of "muffled" heart sounds? - ANSWERSRA and Rheumatoid
Heart Disease
The lungs are congested and the pericardium is inflamed, making the heart beat sound
"muffled"
What are the tests that are done for pericarditis? - ANSWERSChest X-ray (enlarged
heart and congested lungs), EKG, Echocardiogram, MRI or CT (could show thickened
pericardium), Cardiac catheterization, blood tests (to dismiss heart attack)
What are treatments for pericarditis? - ANSWERSNSAIDs, anti fungal drugs,
antibacterial drugs
What is an excess of RBC in the bloodstream? - ANSWERSPolycythemia
Why is anemia so dangerous? - ANSWERSRBCs carry oxygen, decreased RBC means
decreased O2 levels in the blood
What are the RBC sizes/volumes? - ANSWERSNormocytic- normal in size &
hemoglobin levels
Microcytic- Smaller in size & hemoglobin levels
Macrocytic- larger in size & hemoglobin levels
What are the different RBC hemoglobin/colors? - ANSWERSNormochromic- normal
color/hemoglobin levels
Hypochromic- pale/low hemoglobin levels
Cindy is a 22 y/o Caucasian female who presented to the ER due to nausea and
vomiting for the past 5 days. Her history included progressive fatigue for the past 7
months, decreased appetite and a loss of 8 pounds over the past month. She also
complained of poor concentration. Physical exam showed dry skin and "darkening" of
, the skin in several places and a BP of 94/50. Explain the most likely pathology. Include
the hormone(s) involved and if they are increased or decreased. - ANSWERSPrimary
hypoadrenalism- darkening of the skin
A 56 y/o Hispanic male was rushed by ambulance to the ER with bleeding from the
mouth. Physical exam excluded any physical damage from the mouth but the patient
complained of fatigue and nausea and vomiting for the past 3 days. He has generalized
edema and jaundice. Bleeding from the esophagus was stopped before lab tests
showed increased ALT, AST and bilirubin. The patient denied any alcohol use. What
other causes might you want to look for? - ANSWERSNASH, cirrhosis, possible
pancreatitis (bile obstruction), NSAID use (chronic), gallstones, Hep B & C, ETOH
The patient is suffering from dyspnea, has edema, and he has impaired diastolic filling.
What is the patient suffering from? - ANSWERSHypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Patient presents with fatigue, is rapidly gaining weight, the thyroid is enlarged, she has
low T3/4, and TSH. What is her condition? - ANSWERSSecondary or tertiary
hypothyroidism
The patient is suffering from confusion and memory loss. Her heart is enlarged (huge).
What is she suffering from and what is her vitamin deficiency? - ANSWERSDilated
cardiomyopathy & B12 deficiency
The patient has COPD, has trouble exercising (cyanotic). The right side of his heart is
large. What does he have? - ANSWERSCor pulmonale
The patient presents with sharp chest pain when working out, increased his protein
intake with steak & eggs for breakfast, heart auscultation reveals a normal heart beat,
and pain on chest palpation near sternum. What is his condition? -
ANSWERSCostochondritis
A patient has pelvic pain during each menstrual cycle. A laparoscopy showed
endometrial implants. What is she most likely suffering from? -
ANSWERSEndometriosis
ABG's show a pH of 6.9 with blue lips (cyanotic). The blood pCO2 is 58 and HCO3 is
35. What is her acid-base condition? - ANSWERSCompensated respiratory acidosis
The patient presents with fatigue and has recently been diagnosed with DI and has
been using medication. She presents with bilateral finger tingling and her RBCs look
abnormally big and normochromic. What vitamin is she deficient of? - ANSWERSB12
deficiency (pernicious anemia)
31 y/o presents with orthostatic hypotension, her heart rate is elevated, she has a heavy
menstrual cycle every month, and her fingernails are "bent." Describe her MCV, RBCs,
and MCH. - ANSWERSLow MCV, Low MCH--small and pale RBC
Questions with Verified Answers
What are the signs and symptoms of pericarditis? - ANSWERSSharp stabbing pain,
worsens with coughing or swallowing, difficulty breathing when lying down
What are causes of pericarditis? What does is often pair with? - ANSWERSCertain
autoimmune viruses, viral infections, etc.
RA
What are two causes of "muffled" heart sounds? - ANSWERSRA and Rheumatoid
Heart Disease
The lungs are congested and the pericardium is inflamed, making the heart beat sound
"muffled"
What are the tests that are done for pericarditis? - ANSWERSChest X-ray (enlarged
heart and congested lungs), EKG, Echocardiogram, MRI or CT (could show thickened
pericardium), Cardiac catheterization, blood tests (to dismiss heart attack)
What are treatments for pericarditis? - ANSWERSNSAIDs, anti fungal drugs,
antibacterial drugs
What is an excess of RBC in the bloodstream? - ANSWERSPolycythemia
Why is anemia so dangerous? - ANSWERSRBCs carry oxygen, decreased RBC means
decreased O2 levels in the blood
What are the RBC sizes/volumes? - ANSWERSNormocytic- normal in size &
hemoglobin levels
Microcytic- Smaller in size & hemoglobin levels
Macrocytic- larger in size & hemoglobin levels
What are the different RBC hemoglobin/colors? - ANSWERSNormochromic- normal
color/hemoglobin levels
Hypochromic- pale/low hemoglobin levels
Cindy is a 22 y/o Caucasian female who presented to the ER due to nausea and
vomiting for the past 5 days. Her history included progressive fatigue for the past 7
months, decreased appetite and a loss of 8 pounds over the past month. She also
complained of poor concentration. Physical exam showed dry skin and "darkening" of
, the skin in several places and a BP of 94/50. Explain the most likely pathology. Include
the hormone(s) involved and if they are increased or decreased. - ANSWERSPrimary
hypoadrenalism- darkening of the skin
A 56 y/o Hispanic male was rushed by ambulance to the ER with bleeding from the
mouth. Physical exam excluded any physical damage from the mouth but the patient
complained of fatigue and nausea and vomiting for the past 3 days. He has generalized
edema and jaundice. Bleeding from the esophagus was stopped before lab tests
showed increased ALT, AST and bilirubin. The patient denied any alcohol use. What
other causes might you want to look for? - ANSWERSNASH, cirrhosis, possible
pancreatitis (bile obstruction), NSAID use (chronic), gallstones, Hep B & C, ETOH
The patient is suffering from dyspnea, has edema, and he has impaired diastolic filling.
What is the patient suffering from? - ANSWERSHypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Patient presents with fatigue, is rapidly gaining weight, the thyroid is enlarged, she has
low T3/4, and TSH. What is her condition? - ANSWERSSecondary or tertiary
hypothyroidism
The patient is suffering from confusion and memory loss. Her heart is enlarged (huge).
What is she suffering from and what is her vitamin deficiency? - ANSWERSDilated
cardiomyopathy & B12 deficiency
The patient has COPD, has trouble exercising (cyanotic). The right side of his heart is
large. What does he have? - ANSWERSCor pulmonale
The patient presents with sharp chest pain when working out, increased his protein
intake with steak & eggs for breakfast, heart auscultation reveals a normal heart beat,
and pain on chest palpation near sternum. What is his condition? -
ANSWERSCostochondritis
A patient has pelvic pain during each menstrual cycle. A laparoscopy showed
endometrial implants. What is she most likely suffering from? -
ANSWERSEndometriosis
ABG's show a pH of 6.9 with blue lips (cyanotic). The blood pCO2 is 58 and HCO3 is
35. What is her acid-base condition? - ANSWERSCompensated respiratory acidosis
The patient presents with fatigue and has recently been diagnosed with DI and has
been using medication. She presents with bilateral finger tingling and her RBCs look
abnormally big and normochromic. What vitamin is she deficient of? - ANSWERSB12
deficiency (pernicious anemia)
31 y/o presents with orthostatic hypotension, her heart rate is elevated, she has a heavy
menstrual cycle every month, and her fingernails are "bent." Describe her MCV, RBCs,
and MCH. - ANSWERSLow MCV, Low MCH--small and pale RBC
